The old city of Lausanne holds the churches and cathedrals built in the middle ages, such as the famous Notre Dame Cathedral. The Cathedral is a gem a charming town on the shores of lake Geneva and considered the finest Gothic building in Switzerland, on the same level with the Gothic architecture of France.

Myths and facts

The construction of Notre Dame began in 1175 and in 1275 it was consecrated by Pope Gregory X, although the Cathedral was never completed. Throughout the middle ages, pilgrims flocked to the Cathedral to pray before the Golden virgin, a miraculous statue of the virgin Mary, to whom the Cathedral is dedicated.

Lausanne was one of many medieval towns, protected at night to prevent fires. Every night the Rangers on the high walls surrounding the city, kept no fires and not if the enemy is approaching. The Cathedral was the most important object. The watchman climbed the 153 steps to the top of the tower every hour and shouted at the four sides: “C’est le guet, il a sonné l’heure!” (“It’s a night caretaker, the hour has struck”). Lausanne is the only city in Europe where this tradition continues to this day.

In 1536 the combined forces of the reformation and Bernese army plundered the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, having been stripped of altars, statues, and paintings. The appearance of the virgin Gold melted down for coins. The Treasury of Cathedral, a unique collection of liturgical vestments and tapestries were removed to Bern, where Continue reading →

What to see in Prague. The old town square, Charles bridge, Prague Castle.

The Czech capital of Prague is in Central Europe, and is, like, the border between East and West. No wonder “Praha” means “threshold”. The rich history of the city affected the abundance of attractions. Today we tell only about the most significant places of Old Prague, which can be easily explored on foot; the shoes are comfortable not sure.

The old town square in Prague

Old Prague called Old town. And the center of Stare mesto is the old town square. In ΧΙΙΙ century here was located the Old market. The area is interesting not only in itself, but the fact that it is a concentrated mass of attractions. Initial inspection will take at least a few hours.

On the square is the old town hall. After the reconstruction after the Second World War it looks like two buildings connected together. The town hall tower which has a height of about 70 meters, opened to the public. It offers wonderful views of the city. The tower has an astronomical clock – Prague Orloj, which in itself is a wonderful attraction. Watches are not just watches, but a planetarium. Watches consist of many parts, main of which are:

astronomical disks, showing the position of the Sun and moon moving every hour the figures of the apostles and other characters of the dial with medallions, meaning months

The mysterious pyramids of MauritiusThe mysterious pyramids of Mauritius The pyramids -- mysterious constructions. They excite the minds not only of ordinary people and the seekers of the mysterious, but scientists. And if the…

The mysterious pyramids of MauritiusThe mysterious pyramids of Mauritius The pyramids -- mysterious constructions. They excite the minds not only of ordinary people and the seekers of the mysterious, but scientists. And if the…

The mysterious pyramids of MauritiusThe mysterious pyramids of Mauritius The pyramids -- mysterious constructions. They excite the minds not only of ordinary people and the seekers of the mysterious, but scientists. And if the…